CHFA | Psychology Department Showcase: Projects In-Process
Academic Level at Time of Presentation
Graduate
Major
Clinical Psychology
List all Project Mentors & Advisor(s)
D. Gage Jordan, Ph.D.
Presentation Format
Oral Presentation
Abstract/Description
Understanding Mental Health Stigma
Lainie K. Krumenacker
Problem or Purpose
Mental illness affects nearly 1 in 5 adults according to the National Institute of Mental Health and yet discrimination against mental illness is not only relevant, but considered a risk factor as stigma can be responsible for treatment delay. Individuals suffering from mental illnesses may not seek treatment, as they may fear they will be regarded negatively which can lead to detrimental health outcomes (Shrivastava, et al., 2022). Where is the disconnect if so many adults are experiencing mental illness? Why isn’t it more widely researched with a solution focus, especially if we know that stigmatizing behaviors will lead to poorer health outcomes? It is possible that there is just a lack of mental health education within our general education, but instead, there may be an abundance of misinformation about mental illness, including the symptoms, its treatments, and outcomes. As such, this study will attempt to explore whether education, even brief, decreases stigma toward mental health related issues. It is expected that individuals who receive education on mental health will be less stigmatizing toward mental illness and that overall, schizophrenia will be more stigmatized than depression.
Procedure
Data collection will begin in April 2022.
Results
No data have been collected yet.
Conclusions and Implications
Findings from this study may help us further understand the relationship between stigma and mental health; specifically, what impact education on mental health can have on stigma. Furthermore, these findings may also influence future research that can be conducted to explore the impact of education in specific settings, such as mental health facilities.
Spring Scholars Week 2022 Event
Psychology: Projects In-Progress
Included in
Understanding Mental Health Stigma
Understanding Mental Health Stigma
Lainie K. Krumenacker
Problem or Purpose
Mental illness affects nearly 1 in 5 adults according to the National Institute of Mental Health and yet discrimination against mental illness is not only relevant, but considered a risk factor as stigma can be responsible for treatment delay. Individuals suffering from mental illnesses may not seek treatment, as they may fear they will be regarded negatively which can lead to detrimental health outcomes (Shrivastava, et al., 2022). Where is the disconnect if so many adults are experiencing mental illness? Why isn’t it more widely researched with a solution focus, especially if we know that stigmatizing behaviors will lead to poorer health outcomes? It is possible that there is just a lack of mental health education within our general education, but instead, there may be an abundance of misinformation about mental illness, including the symptoms, its treatments, and outcomes. As such, this study will attempt to explore whether education, even brief, decreases stigma toward mental health related issues. It is expected that individuals who receive education on mental health will be less stigmatizing toward mental illness and that overall, schizophrenia will be more stigmatized than depression.
Procedure
Data collection will begin in April 2022.
Results
No data have been collected yet.
Conclusions and Implications
Findings from this study may help us further understand the relationship between stigma and mental health; specifically, what impact education on mental health can have on stigma. Furthermore, these findings may also influence future research that can be conducted to explore the impact of education in specific settings, such as mental health facilities.